[7/10/10] Calling all coffee
lovers!
Which is the BEST Fairtrade instant coffee? We were
sitting in a meeting and discussion moved on to the
question of who drinks Fairtrade instant coffee? and
which do they recommend? We couldn't agree and
thought why don't we try to find out?
And so on 11th Sept in the Enterprise Centre in the
'Good and Fair' shop we servd up samples of
Fairtrade instant coffee from Cafe Direct, Clipper,
Percol, Co-op and Traidcraft and we asked passersby
to vote for their favourite.
Fairtrade
coffee gets local approval
"We
spend a lot of our time encouraging businesses,
churches and organisations to switch to Fairtrade,
but we didn't agree on which instant coffee was the
best." said Fairtrade Eastbourne Chair Matt
Wilkinson.
"Instants may not get the coffee lovers all excited
but they do serve a purpose in the morning or when
you fancy a quick break at work" said Peter Watts
from Good and Fair. "If we can make a
difference to Fairtrade producers and get a good
tasting coffee then both sides win!"
And the winner on the day was Percol Americano.
"I'm currently in discussions with my suppliers and
hope to add this Fairtrade coffee to my shelves in
the near future." said Peter.
[12/7/10] Shared
Interest
vist
Fairtrade Eastbourne
At Fairtrade EB's June meeting we were
treated to a talk and presentation about the
work of Shared Interest, an
ethical investment co-operative that lends money
to fair trade businesses in the developing
world. As we learnt through the course of
the presentation, the
financial support they offer can really
help to kick start a fair trade business and in
turn help improve the lives of
both producers and their communities.
Sally Reith from Shared Interest spoke for
around one hour and began with the
poignant message that as the
world is in the grip of the 'global
recession', the phrase 'tightening
your belt' is no metaphor, but
a literal reality for millions of
producers in developing countries.
Established in 1990, Shared Interest
(SI) continues to be the world's only
100% fair trade lender and has more than 8,800
members with each member having
a say. It is a response to the so-
called 'coyotes' who prey on vulnerable people
who lack the security and trade
relationships that would allow them to seek a
better price. Staff at the Costa Rica office
have reported local lenders
offering loans of 40% interest!
In it's 20 years the co-operative has
only a 2% default rate. This is from
people who are often considered 'too risky' to
invest with!!! It goes to show that producer
groups and farmers in the developing world
just need the opportunity to prosper, 'a hand
up, not a hand out.'
From their first office in Newcastle, UK,
Shared Interest has grown to have offices
in Peru, Kenya and Costa Rica and now have
ambitions to move into Asia. SI aims to be
accessible to both producers and investors. The
money generated from the interest rate on loans
is 'recycled' back into the SI coffers and
in turn more people to benefit. All
loans are subject to approval and aim to help
those that could use the funding the most,
mainly as an initial start-up or to fund new
business ventures etc. To allow
credibility for lending a business must be
Fairtrade certified.
The co-operative also have a charity arm called
the Shared Interest Foundation. Through this
some organisations can receive grants for
training, facilities and other forms of help to
get businesses off the ground. They also
try and provide much needed funding
for vulnerable or struggling businesses and
producer groups in the event of shocks such as
market collapses and crop failures. For example,
Zimbabwe in recent years has had
producers helped by the SI Foundation to
try and cope with the effects of challenges
the country is facing.
Case Study 1: Canaan Fair Trade
Based in Jenin, Palestine, Canaan sells olive
oil and other delicacies produced by over 1,700
small farmers organized in informal cooperatives
and represented by the Palestine Fair Trade
Association (PFTA). It was
established in 2004 and uses the fair trade
concept to empower marginalized Palestinian
rural communities caught in conflict so they can
sustain their livelihoods and culture.
In 2008 Canaan FT took out a loan with Shared
Interest to part finance new storage and
bottling facilities. The loan was for $635,000
which was repayable over 5 years. As well as
this a further $100,000 was lent to enable the
production of goods in advance of receiving the
first payments from the buyers, allowing for the
transition and the business to
develop. After a query from a member of the
audience, it was clarified that
this $100,000 was separate from the
Fairtrade Social Premium - the extra sum
paid on each FT certified product which goes
into social and community projects.
Case
Study 2: Bega Kwa Bega- (BkB)
The group were also treated to a short film
about Bega Kwa Bega- (BkB), a co-operative
society based in the Korogocho slum
district of Nairobi, Kenya. The name
translates as 'Shoulder To Shoulder' from
Kiswahili. It was set up in 1991 under the
umbrella of the local Catholic church. It's aim
is to rehabilitate girls and women who have
lived on the streets or been subject to abuse or
exploitation as a result of the extreme
poverty found in the area, where millions
live on less than $1 US a day.
The products coming out of BkB are mainly
handicrafts such as baskets and jewellery.
The project Coordinator, Ignatius Joseph
spoke about how through SI's support they
have been able to buy new sewing machines and
office equipment and expand the business to
allow more people to benefit. He also spoke of
how the trust and commitment through
an open and transparent system is empowering
people in the community- 'everyone is involved'.
The co-op put 20% of their annual profits
back into community projects.
To watch the video as well as others by
Shared Interest, please click HERE
Membership
Members include individuals, schools, businesses
and faith groups and the money that they have
invested is used to support member co-operatives
and producers throughout the developing world.
How
can we get involved?
You could invest some money, donate to the
SI Foundation, volunteer to spread the word
or become an advocate or ambassador for the
work of Shared Interest. Investors come
from all sections of the community, from
Churches and Synagogues to a school tuck shop
which, as Sally Reith pointed out, is a
particularly nice idea as children are learning
first hand about how trade can really be
beneficial to everyone when conducted in a fair
and just manner.
[6/3/10] Fairtrade
Flaskmob
Eastbourne shoppers were greeted by the town's first
ever 'Flaskmob' as Fairtrade supporters gathered
together in the town centre to toast the end of
Fairtrade Fortnight.
Along with two giant inflatable tea mugs with 'Swap
your cuppa!' printed on the side, the campaigners
handed out samples of Fairtrade tea and each brought
a flask of a Fairtrade hot drink to enjoy.
"We wanted to do something eyecatching and out of
the ordinary to remind shoppers to look for the
Fairtrade Mark." said Matt Wilkinson from Fairtrade
Eastbourne.
"We promoted this gathering using our new Facebook
Fan page, which is a great way to keep in touch with
our supporters."
Fairtrade Eastbourne are campaigning to make
Eastbourne a Fairtrade Town and regularly put on
stalls, speakers, films and events to raise public
and business awareness to the positive impact of
Fairtrade.
[3/3/10] Eastbourne Mayor
brings Fairtrade message Eastbourne Mayor Greg Szanto joined
this week with Fairtrade Eastbourne campaigners to
take a Fairtrade message to local businesses.
To mark Fairtrade Fortnight the Mayor helped to
deliver free samples of Fairtrade tea to
hairdressers, an optician, a travel agency, a
clothing shop, cafés and other businesses
along Grove Road on Wednesday 3rd March. The
team wanted to encourage those they spoke to to
choose Fairtrade for their business.
"We've delivered a lot of tea samples around the
town centre in recent weeks and we had a great
response from everyone, especially today with the
Mayor." said Group Chair of Fairtrade Eastbourne
Matt Wilkinson.
"We are committed to achieving Fairtrade Town Status
for Eastbourne, its residents and for poor farmers
in Developing Countries. We need the support
of businesses to make our application."
An Eastbourne business can support the local
Fairtrade campaign by choosing to switch to using
Fairtrade products and then by registering as a
Fairtrade Eastbourne business on the campaign's
website at www.fairtradeeastbourne.org.uk.
"I think Grove Road could become a real Fairtrade
hotspot as we've already had registrations through
on our website." said Matt
The Mayor also spoke to Georgina Bauer in The Funky
Viking children's clothing shop and heard how she
uses 100% Fairtrade for her café.
"I choose Fairtrade because of the positive
difference it makes to the livelihoods of the
producers. It has not been at any significant
additional cost and it is the right choice for my
business" says Georgina.
[17/11/09] The Cred Foundation:
Transforming Lives
On Tuesday 15th September 2009, the
upstairs room at Bibendum was packed out with
local people keen to hear from Paul Sanderson MBE,
Director, Cred Foundation.
Paul did not
disappoint, the public and Fairtrade Eastbourne
were treated to an engaging and inspiring account
of the work of Cred Foundation.
Cred Foundation is a
charity delivering play schemes to disabled
children in the developing world. UK young people
volunteer to take part in the delivery of the play
schemes. They are responsible for raising money
for their trip. It is a life changing experience
for many.
We heard how positive
an experience it had been for young volunteers
from a range of backgrounds, from Arundel Castle
to a disadvantaged estate in Littlehampton. The
experience served to build relationships between
these diverse young people as well as helping them
to appreciate growing up in the Western world. We
were fortunate to hear from Paul’s son Zack who
had accompanied his dad on one of the trips to
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The play schemes have
enabled vulnerable and often forgotten children in
Ethopia, India and Colombia to have unforgettable
experiences. Cred Foundation will soon be visiting
Burmese Refugee children on the Thai border.
The work of the Cred
Foundation is funded by donations and by its
sister company Cred Jewellery. Cred Jewellery
sells quality jewellery, which is produced using
ethically sourced metals and precious stones.
There is a shop in Littlehampton and an on line
store. Cred Jewellery is leading the campaign for
Fairtrade gold, which is an industry known to be
very destructive and exploitative to people and
the environment.
To find out more
about Cred Foundation and Cred Jewellery see
www.cred.org.uk
[18/10/09] Fairtrade
Feedback Join us at our next
monthly meeting on Tuesday 20th October,
upstairs in Bibendum at 7:30pm to hear from
our members recently returning from a Campaigner's
Conference at the Fairtrade Foundation in
London. This inspirational, practical and
informative event takes place each year for
activists to meet their counterparts campaigning
across the country, share ideas, take part in
workshops and hear about the latest activities at
the Fairtrade Foundation. This year included a
talk by BBC journalist and newsreader George Alagiah
and a question and answer session with the Chief
Executive of the Fairtrade Foundation Harriet Lamb
and the Secretary of State for International
Development Douglas Alexander MP. There was
also an opportunity for campaigners to put questions
to a panel including a Fairtrade farmer, a top
economist, and a representative from the Divine
Chocolate company.
"It was a very educational and motivating day."
said Fairtrade Eastbourne campaigner Jim
Thomas. "It was great to share experiences
and thoughts with so many active supporters and
top ambassadors of the movement. We listened
as producers told us of the benefits that
Fairtrade has brought to their lives and the
communities they represent. They included top
figures from both a banana co-operative on the
Windward Islands and a cocoa farming region of
Belize."
[18/08/09] Jim
returns to tell about Fairtrade! Fairtrade
Eastbourne campaigner Jim Thomas recently
returned from a trip of a life time to Uganda
where he visited a coffee project and saw for
himself how Fairtrade can make a real
difference.
Jim travelled with Sussex Downs College
and visited, with other students, villages and
schools and worked on a development project for
7 weeks. On a day excursion the
group visited the Peace Kawomera Co-operative
that sells coffee to the US as Fairtrade.
The co-operative is made up of 1500 farms
representing 25 000 coffee farmers. Since
2004 Fairtrade has enabled farmers to send their
children to school, start savings accounts, and
reinvest in their farm.
"It was incredible to see such a beautiful
country and to meet such a warm and friendly
people." said Jim
"Sussex Downs College has been making links and
working with communities and projects in South
Eastern Uganda for over 4 years now. The college
has organised Study tours for students (most of
whom are studying World Development) that allow
them the opportunity to witness development work
for themselves, as well as giving them a glimpse
of what life is like for so many people in
Africa and all over the world- a life trapped in
poverty.
"Since
its establishment in 1995 BRDC have helped over
20,000 people through outreach work alone. BRDC
offers knowledge and advice and does not give
handouts. In the community they advise people on
many issues ranging from getting safe water and
making good compost for their crops to
generating income from selling vegetables etc.
At the centre they give training in practical
skills such as carpentry, building, tailoring
and agriculture. These skills give the people a
sense of achievement and hope and increase their
likelihood of making a living. The centres
motto- 'Helping others to help themselves'
really sums it up."
Uganda has enjoyed
economic growth over the last decade yet remains
one of the world's most impoverished countries.
Average life expectancy is 50 years and 31% of
the population live below the national poverty
line (roughly 60 pence a day). Uganda relies
heavily on agriculture, the basis of livelihood
for 85% of the population. Climate change is
having a devastating effect on many in Uganda,
as over 2 million are currently facing
starvation due to poor harvests. This is because
the rains are no longer reliable and the people
there have been noticing this, as well as other
changes, for 20 years.
The major export crop is coffee which grows high
in the Ugandan mountains. Coffee growers in
Uganda can sell their 'red' coffee beans
for 300 shillings a kilo or shell and dry them
as 'green' beans for 800 shillings. A
British pound is worth approximately 3500
shillings. A kilo of coffee certified as
Fairtrade however is sold at the Fairtrade
minimum price of 3000 shillings. Jim spoke
at the August Fairtrade Eastbourne meeting
upstairs in the Bibendum pub describing his trip and the
difference he saw made by Fairtrade.
"I've been involved
with the Fairtrade group for about a year and a
half and I've become more and more enthusiastic
about Fairtrade. Such a small thing to us
as choosing a particular brand of coffee at the
supermarket means such a big difference to those
growing the coffee. I can now say I have met
people who through Fairtrade have had their
lives changed for the better, and can plan for
the future- to develop" "Finally, to fulfil
my promise to many Ugandans, I would like to
give everyone reading this greetings and love
from Uganda!"
[19/04/07] Council
passes
Fairtrade Motion: Eastbourne Borough
Council unaminously passed a motion supporting more
Fairtrade in Eastbourne at its April meeting. Council Leader Ian
Lucas said"The
council have shown they are wholeheartedly behind the
campaign to make Eastbourne a Fairtrade town, and will
play it’s part in making that happen. I personally
am committed to Fairtrade as a concept, as it ensures a
fair pay for the manufacturers and growers. We can
all make a difference to alleviating poverty if we ask for
Fairtrade" . Leader of
the Liberal Democrats Councillors David Tutt said "Fairtrade
is exactly that, ensuring that we pay a fair price to
others for the goods they produce, it deserves the support
of our whole community". Clive Gross said "As both Chair of the
Fairtrade Campaign and Eastbourne Green Party
spokesperson, I was delighted that the motion achieved
all-party unanimous support in the Council Chamber. There
is a genuine political commitment behind Fairtrade in
Eastbourne now, to match the widespread public support the
local campaign group has received over the last two years.
Achieving Fairtrade Town status in 2007 will be just one
further landmark for the campaign, not the end of it.”
The motion was drafted in cooperation with Fairtrade
Eastbourne and members of the group took the opportunity to
speak to the council before the debate. Click here
to read the motion
15/03/07] Petitions
handed
in:
Over the whole term of our campaign we have been
collecting signatures for a petition to make
Eastbourne a Fairtrade Town. We counted
over 3000 signatures before handing it over to
Mayor of Eastbourne Colin Belsy (right). Let's
hope this encourages the Council to support our
campaign.
Thankyou to every one of you who took the
time to give us your signature, and here's to
the council listening!
Supplied by the
Eastbourne Herald
[11/03/07]
Fairtrade fortnight ends: A big thankyou to everyone
who participated in FT fortnight
2007 , events that took place included a fashion show , quiz
, open mike night , Gospel choir, rennaisence choir and the
presentation of our on going petition to the Mayor of
Eastbourne Colin Belsey. We distributed ask for
Fairtrade cards for the very first time ,
encouraging consumers to ask if the FT brand is absent on a
menu or shelf.
Even though officialy Fairtrade Fortnight is over , there is
still our digital photography competition to participate in,
the prizes for the best 'Fairtrade in Eastbourne' and
'Unfair trade' photos are a worthwhile collection of FT
goodies so don't hesitate to send your photos to:
fteb_photos@yahoo.co.uk
[11/03/07] Fairtrade
Gospel
The Eastbourne life Gospel choir closed fairtrade
fortnight and stunned passers by with a thrilling set
dedicated to the promotion of the fairtrade brand. In
between each epic number the issue of world trade was
directed at the onlookers by the choir leader. On behalf
of the Eastbourne fairtrade group we would like to say
thankyou to the Life gospel choir for dedicating their
saturday morning to fairtrade.
[05/03/07] Open
Mike
Night. Last thursday night an Open mike night competition
at the skybar was exclusively devoted to fairtrade( for
fairtrade fortnight), leaflets were littered on tables and
the bar and the colourful eastbourne fairtrade banner was
behind the volunteering musicians. With a variety of
original material and covers from anyone who could sing or
play, the night proved to be fun for everyone who turned up.
Winners were: Alex speirs, Ben Nicholas
Danney Pulleyn and Richard Criden. Each recieved a
bottle of fairtrade wine.
[26/02/07] East magazine Our very own Matt Wilkinson
is interviewed this month in East magazine, be sure to
check out the interview which is all about Fairtrade..
We are delighted particularly as it's the month EAST
branches out and is now distributed in Hastings and
Bexhill.
[24/02/07]Fairtrade
fortnight The
most important time of the year for our group is Fairtrade
Fortnight which this year is the 26th February-11th March.
Keep a check on our calendar of
events for what's happening.
[23/02/07] pre-Fairtrade
fortnight
- passion for fashion
We are now just 3 days away to fairtrade fortnight
and last night our group hosted a fairtrade fashion show
at Park college to get things kick started. On show were a
variety of clothes items that will be listed on our
website with links to where you can purchase them, along
with pictures of the night. Thankyou to all those who
participated on this fabulous night , where hopefully a
few more people got enlightened to our campaign.
[01/01/07]Letter
for 2007
Happy new year from the Eastbourne Fairtrade group , to
kick the new year off, we have a letter for 2007,
explaining how to further our campaign in bringing
fairtrade status to the town....
In the early hours of last Sunday,
a group of ourf campaigners were watching their message
being washed from Eastbourne's streets. Early-bird
Fairtrade supporters chalked the organisation's
distinctive logo on the precinct paving on Terminus Road,
in time for shops opening. But quicker than you can say
‘Fairtrade Eastbourne’ our efforts were eradicated thanks
to a council hose.
A council spokesperson said, 'The
Council's contractors cleaned the streets as they would
normally. In the future if organisations want to display
art in this manner they should contact the Council to ask
for it to be left for a set amount of time.'
Were the council correct in effectively treating this as
vandalism?
10/09/2006]Fairtrade gig
The town is now nearer to acheiving Fairtrade status thanks
to local musicians.
A host of talent provided an evening of acoustic music at
Cafe Blue last Wednesday, to raise money and awareness for
Fairtrade Eastbourne, the cafe blue was packed out , which
was very encouraging for the group.... for a few review of the night click here
PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN NEWS !
Fairtrade Eastbourne Petition
As part of our application for Fairtrade Town Status later
this year, we will be presenting a petition of local
residents in support of increased use and availability of
Fairtrade goods in Eastbourne.
In just a short time we have already collected over 2000
signatures and you can help us by downloading and getting
your friends to sign one of our petition forms. To get a
copy of the form click
here.
Please return your completed forms to Fairtrade Eastbourne,
54 Upperton Gardens, Eastbourne BN21 2AQ.
Trade Justice Movement Rally
Members of our
group travelled up to London to play Eastbourne's part in
the Trade Justice Movement Mass Lobby of Parliament. It is
encouraging to learn that we share common ground with
Nigel Waterson on removing domestic subsidies and import
tariffs. However, Nigel does not agree that developing
countries should be allowed to protect their industries
from outside competition, taking the free trade line. It
was argued that rebalancing trade rules was the best way
to produce significant and sustainable development that
was urgently needed. Members came away pleased that at
least their message was heard.
Launch
Event Success!
Our campaign
launch event held at the Underground Theatre on
September 5th was a great success. Keynote
speakers Bruce Crowther, Simeon Greene and Cllr
Ruth O'Keefe were complimented by arange of
Fairtrade stalls, refresments and displays, plus
excellent live musiv from the
AccousticCollective. Over 120 people attended a
really entertaining and informative night!
East Magazine
Feature
If you pick up a copy of
the new September East Magazine from
just about anywhere across
Eastbourne,you will see an excellent feature on our
campaign for Fairtrade Town Status.
Thanks to Co-Editors Adam and Daniel for all the effort
they put into this piece and
for the major awareness this will generate.
FTE August Surveys
During August we surveyed both local businesses and shoppers
to find out how much Fair Trade produce is already available
in Eastbourne and how many people either know about it or
buy it. This will provide us with important benchmark
information for our future Fair Trade Town application.
The information gathered went towards helping us prepare our
free Fairtrade Shopping Guide for Eastbourne which we
distributed through East Magazine and appears in this site.
Council Motions
Both Eastbourne Borough Council and East Sussex County
Council debated motions supporting
Fair Trade at their July full council meetings. Here in
Eastbourne we held a well supported
lobby of the Council before their meeting which has
attracted local media coverage both before
and since the event.
Eastbourne Borough Council
passed - after an impassioned debate - the original motion
proposed
by Council Leader Ian Lucas, while the amended motion
proposed by the opposition group based
on the Fair Trade Foundation suggested motion was narrowly
defeated.
Uckfield achieve
Fair Trade Town Status
FTE have sent their
congratulations to Uckfield Town Council on achieving Fair
Trade Town
Status. They are the first town in the Wealden District
Council area to gain the award.
We have also suggested that a representative from their
successful campaign might come
along to share their story with us.
Uckfield now join regional
neighbours Lewes and Brighton in gaining the Fair Trade
Town mark.
Fair Trade Shop
opens in Eastbourne!
A brand new and 100% Fair
Trade shop has just opened in the Enterprise Shopping
Centre,
behind Eastbourne Railway Station. The Fair Trading Post
is run by Pauline Stapleton and
can be found halfway down the rear aisle on the ground
floor. Drop in between 9.45am
and 5pm Monday to Saturday or call 01323 642681 for more
details. We all wish her
well with this exciting new venture!